The Catholic Church welcomes a new pope

By: Caroline Polen The Catholic Church lost Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, who passed away at the age of 88. He made history in 2013 as the first non-European pope since Gregory III, according to an article from Holy Name of Jesus.  Known for his humility, emphasis on social justice, and outreach to marginalized communities, Pope Francis’s legacy left a significant mark on the … Continue reading The Catholic Church welcomes a new pope

Coachella, still about music and fashion, turns into a political outlet

By: Jordan Frantz Heat, diverse music, extravagant outfits, desert land, social media influence and a microphone with a stage are what bring people back to Coachella year after year. Located at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, nestled within the Coachella Valley, the Coachella Music Festival attracts celebrities, brand deal ambassadors, and music fans.  Coachella has been hosting viral music stars since its debut … Continue reading Coachella, still about music and fashion, turns into a political outlet

Libraries are facing budget challenges at every level

By: Caroline Polen According to The Ohio Capital Journal, the newest version of the Ohio House budget is taking a step back from getting rid of something called the Public Library Fund, which is important because that’s how a lot of libraries get their money. Did you know there are around 124,903 libraries in the United States? A lot of them could be in trouble … Continue reading Libraries are facing budget challenges at every level

What’s going on with the phone policy at Bellbrook?

By: Caroline Polen Did you know that about 97% of students, ages 11-17, use their phones during the school day?  The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Local School District Board of Education had a meeting on Thursday, April 10 where they had a second read of Board Policy 5136 titled, “Personal Communication Devices” or PCDs.  Audra Dorn, Board vice-president, mentioned that they had discussed this policy quite a bit … Continue reading What’s going on with the phone policy at Bellbrook?

Over a million march: Unpacking the ‘Hands Off’ protests

By: Jordan Frantz A nationwide protest against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk took place on April 5. The protest was organized by a pro-democracy movement in response to a “hostile takeover” on American rights and freedoms.  Since Trump took office in January, there have been a variety of protests regarding his administration’s plans and policies against the mass firing of federal workers, immigration raids, … Continue reading Over a million march: Unpacking the ‘Hands Off’ protests

President Trump signed an executive order to disband the Department of Education

By: Jordan Frantz Trump’s Plan President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20 that eliminated the Department of Education. Republicans have been set on this decision for decades and we’re finally witnessing its coming to pass.  The Trump Administration took steps prior to the closure including firing workers. The staff has been cut in half and much of the work the department does … Continue reading President Trump signed an executive order to disband the Department of Education

Cuts could reduce protection for national parks

By: Caroline Polen Did you know that the United States is home to over 60 national parks? National parks are special pieces of land that are protected by the government to preserve the land from human development. Going to a national park is a great way to learn more about where you live and to explore new places.  “My family and I have visited seven … Continue reading Cuts could reduce protection for national parks

Jada Weiss makes Bellbrook history

By: Evi Fromm Bellbrook High School senior Jada Weiss took home the gold at this year’s OHSAA Ohio Girls Wrestling Tournament. “I started wrestling in the 7th grade, mainly because of my brothers,” Weiss said. “They started wrestling very young, and I would attend all of their tournaments. Eventually, after watching for so long, I became interested and started wrestling.” During her high school career … Continue reading Jada Weiss makes Bellbrook history

The Spring 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly will be held in Dayton

By: Jordan Frantz Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a 32 member country alliance. It includes countries from all over the world including the United States.  According to the article “North Atlantic Treaty Organization,” “NATO Allies are sovereign states that come together through NATO to discuss political and security issues and make collective decisions by consensus.” The NATO Parliamentary Assembly holds two meetings every year. … Continue reading The Spring 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly will be held in Dayton

504 Plans under attack by states

By Summer Bixler In September of 1973, President Nixon signed the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This act said that people with disabilities of any kind should not be subject to discrimination, and cannot be denied any benefits. This act, known popularly as Section 504, became extremely important in schools, offering kids with disabilities accommodations to help them get the education they need. In 2025, 17 … Continue reading 504 Plans under attack by states